No less than 120 women in Kogi State have been given sewing and grinding machines and other tools to boost their small-scale businesses.
Wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, distributed the items to the women under the Ododo Cares Empowerment Program in Lokoja on Thursday.
The empowerment programme was organized by the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
It was aimed at boosting the means of livelihoods of vulnerable women in the state.
Mrs Ododo while speaking at the event said the current administration in the state has been doing a lot to better the live of women.
She said the objective was to enable them to live a better live and make positive impacts in the society.
Hajia Ododo urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity to improve their lives and that of their families.
Also speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Fatima Momoh, said the Ododo Cares Empowerment Program was deliberately designed to break the cycle of poverty and cushion the effects of current hardship on women.
Momoh explained that the 120 benefitting women were picked from the 21 local government areas of the state through painstaking and transparent process.
“As we distribute these grinding and sewing machines to over 100 beneficiaries, we are unlocking potentials, fostering empowerment and entrepreneurship and strengthening families.
“We are breaking cycles of poverty and cultivating cultures of resilience.
“This initiative was borne out of the desire to positively touch the lives of the people, and further cushion the effects of economic hardship in the country.
“The high premium placed on women empowerment by the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo-led administration in the state will help in the upliftment of women and the transformation of communities across the state,” she explained.
The Commissioner appealed to the beneficiaries, to “maximize these resources, innovate and create opportunities for yourself and others. You are change makers and the backbone of our society.”
She then thanked Governor Ododo for consolidating on the gains of former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Momoh also lauded Governor Ododo for the initiative which she described as “inspiring the new generation of women leaders”.
In her goodwill message, wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Margaret Joel Oyibo commended the first lady and Women Affairs Ministry for assisting vulnerable women through social inclusion, the creation of enabling environments, and their consistency.
She applauded Hajia Ododo’s commitment to women emancipation and urged beneficiaries to work together for a brighter future.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
